Cessna 172N accident near Germantown, NY
On October 10, 2004, a Cessna 172N (airplane) was involved in an accident near Germantown, NY. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 10, 2004
- Place
- Germantown, NY
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.118°N, 73.841°W
- NTSB ID
- 20041015X01632
Official records · NYC05FA001
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Pilot Communications With ATC: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 10, 2004, at 0035 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N2771J, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees, following a loss of control in cruise flight near Germantown, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), Islip, New York; destined for Fulton County Airport (NY0), Johnstown, New York. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During the day prior to the accident, the pilot and passenger flew uneventfully from NY0 to ISP. The airplane was fueled before departing NY0, and again after arriving at ISP. The pilot and passenger attended a meeting, and then departed ISP about 2337, for a return trip to NY0. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) communication and radar data, the pilot made radio contact with the Albany, New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), about 0020, and requested flight following. The air traffic controller acknowledged the transmissions, verified radar contact about 0023, and provided a current altimeter setting. The pilot then acknowledged the altimeter setting and verified his altitude. At the time, the airplane was approximately 3,100 feet msl, and 50 miles southeast of Albany, New York. About 0034, the pilot contacted the Albany TRACON controller and stated, "could you tell me how high these clouds are [unintelligible] get out of them." No further transmissions were received from the accident airpla
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which led to VFR flight into IMC and his loss of aircraft control. Factors were night and cloud conditions.
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Browse: New York · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
